Drone risk mitigation: Implementing counter-drone security success
Among the challenges facing the security of high-risk facilities, locations, and events is the inexpensive, highly capable airborne threat from drones. We have been hearing about drones in the military sphere, with attacks like experienced in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stretching that definition to attack critical infrastructure. The threat burst into wider view at Gatwick airport and the attempt against the President of Venezuela, but these can seem fuzzy, undefined. With the recent reports of a drone almost hitting Air Force One and the drone swarm apparently surveilling a nuclear power facility, the risk is coming into focus.
There are a number of factors to consider when assessing, planning, designing, deploying, and operating any airspace surveillance, and/or integrated ground and airspace security system. Many of the security process elements tip into sensor requirements and, as a recent Interagency Advisory helpfully noted, some of the sensors provide functionality that is itself illegal. When combined with the reality that any mitigation efforts by non-federal public agencies or private entities are also illegal, customers, integrators, and security professionals are left with a very complicated framework to operate within.